The Consular Newsletter (April 21-27, 2025)
This week, the Trump administration has revoked the cancellation of hundreds of student visas, and temporary suspensions of consulates are expected due to India-Pakistan tensions.
A. Announcements
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud
F. Five perspectives
G. Honorary consuls
H. Get daily news
I. Support consular research
J. Thanks
A. Announcements
While we are planning to launch the website in May 2025, you are now welcome to archive your existing works in The Consular Repository and submit new writings for The Consular Magazine.
If you would like to partner with the Center, feel free to get in touch.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Africa
The Consulate in Casablanca is under scrutiny after a person died in an elevator collapse. The Diplomat in Spain
Americas
4 US House Dems meet with US Embassy in El Salvador, try to secure Abrego Garcia’s release. The Baltimore Sun
4-year-old migrant girl, other kids go to court in NYC with no lawyer: 'The cruelty is apparent'. Gothamist
Citizens, residents, and even people outside the United States are receiving self-deportation orders: ‘This is unforgivable’. El País
Colombian President Gustavo Petro claims Trump administration revoked his US visa, takes shot at US prez: ‘Already seen Donald Duck several times’. New York Post
Ex-special forces mother defies U.S. Consulate to rescue missing son in Netflix’s ‘Exterritorial’. Lagrada
ICE deports immigrant mother of an infant and 3 children who are US citizens, lawyers say. The Washington Post
International students stripped of legal status in the US are piling up wins in court. The Associated Press
Kristi Noem’s swanky Gucci bag, with $3K cash and her passport inside, snatched by thief during outing at DC restaurant. New York Post
Protesters chant after arrest of judge accused of helping man evade immigration authorities. The Associated Press
Sharon Osbourne calls for Kneecap's US visas to be revoked. BBC
Student visa cancellations could hurt U.S. innovation. Marketplace
Suspect arrested after Kristi Noem's purse stolen with $3K, passport and government badge. USA Today
Trump: US can't give every person it wants to deport a trial. Deutsche Welle
Trump administration reverses abrupt terminations of foreign students’ US visa registrations. Politico
Utah immigration lawyer, who is a naturalized US citizen, ordered to self-deport. Rochester First
Wife of US Coast Guard member arrested over expired visa after security check for military housing. The Associated Press
Europe
“They urgently need a copy of my passport.” The developer told about a miracle vacancy from five recruiters at once with a salary significantly higher than the market and a strange requirement. Dev
FT: Russians linked to Ukraine war bought Maltese “golden” passports. Euromaidan Press
Ministers plan to impose large fines on people posing as immigration lawyers. Kent Online
Multiple continents
Naive' Cork teenager tried to get into US with passport of a friend 'he looked a bit like'. Irish Examiner
Rwandan genocide leader living as beekeeper in exclusive New York enclave arrested for alleged immigration violations. ABC News
US focuses on persecution claims as white South Africans seek resettlement. Reuters
Asia, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
In Africa
Turkish FM inaugurates consulate in Algerian coastal city. Yeni Şafak
In Americas
A European country's embassy in Havana is closing. Cibercuba
A major exercise in the defense of a US embassy by Special Forces and Marines. Contando Estrelas
Finland to open Consulate General in Houston, Texas. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In Asia
As India downgrades diplomatic ties with Pakistan, here’s how their foreign missions are staffed. ThePrint
RI welcomes China support for Consulate-General in Chengdu. Antara News
Scenes outside Pakistan High Commission after Pahalgam attack: protests, fewer barricades and worried citizens. The Indian Express
The cake delivery for Pakistan High Commission in Delhi going viral after Pahalgam attack. The Times of India
In Middle East
Malta opens consulate-general in Dubai. Malta Today
Yemen reopens embassy in Damascus: Key implications. Enab Baladi
In multiple continents
April 25: A historic global siege on U.S. embassies for Gaza. Tehran Times
Closing US embassies is dangerous. It will allow Chinese influence to spread. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
State to slash 15% of domestic staff, eliminate 132 offices. Government Executive
The wrong time to close important diplomatic posts. The National Herald
In Europe, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
4 people facing federal charges for organizing visa, marriage fraud scheme in Maryland. CBS News
Bay Area tech staffing firm owner sentenced for visa fraud. The Mercury News
Buddhist University tied to visa scam for fake Chinese students. The Nation
Foreign nationals were paying up to $40K for phony US marriages, federal officials in Md. Say. WTOP News
Leeds pair promised fake passports and £1 million of fake bank notes in online scam rumbled by officers. Yorkshire Evening Post
Staffing owner gets 14 months in prison in visa fraud case. Staffing Industry Analysts
F. Five perspectives
This selection highlights a number of posts published this week to help readers discover diverse perspectives; the views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the Consular Affairs Center.
New records show Scientology still hogging US 'religious' visas (by
).- ).
Passport privilege is brittle (by
).The More You Know About Legal Immigration (by
).What I discovered at the Canadian Embassy (by
).
G. Honorary consuls
The Consular Affairs Center provides tailored reports for worldwide honorary consuls. Contact the Center to learn more.
H. Get daily news
Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.
The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.
Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.
I. Support consular research
Support is possible via a donation. Your generosity helps a lot. Thank you very much.
J. Thanks
Partner: Yonsei University.
We are grateful to the news sources that contributed to bringing you this week's highlights. The content and views expressed are those of the authors alone and do not reflect the position of their affiliated institutions or the Consular Affairs Center.